Tigers Maul Rangers
By Blake VandeBunte • Sep 18th, 2008 • Category: 2008 season, Curtis Granderson, Dusty Ryan, Freddy Garcia, Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera, Nate RobertsonEverything went right last night in Texas. Well, almost everything (ahem, Nate Robertson). The Tigers salvaged win in their three game series against the Rangers with a 17-4 win last night. It’s a shame the Tigers can’t spread some of those runs out. Their 16-1 lead last night was a lead even the Tigers bullpen couldn’t blow.
Freddy Garcia started on the mound for the Tigers and was pretty terrific. Garcia topped out at about 89-90 mph with his fastball, but it was his offspeed stuff that had the Rangers hitters baffled. Garcia went five innings and needed only 59 pitches to get those 15 outs. He gave up only two hits and gave up an unearned run. He walked only one batter and struck out three. It was Garcia’s first action in a big league game since June of 2007 and he was better than expected. He has said he’s confident he’ll be able to throw around 200 innings next season. If he’s sharp in his final start with the Tigers you have to imagine they’d try to keep the guy. Garcia is tentatively scheduled to start against the Royals at Comerica Park on the 23rd.
The Tigers offense made it pretty easy for Garcia to pick up the win. Miguel Cabrera and Dusty Ryan each had four hits for the Tigers. Cabrera hit a three run homer and drove in three runs. Ryan added three singles and double as he drove in two more Detroit runs. Magglio Ordonez continued his drive for a second consecutive batting title as he went 3-5 and raised his average to .326. He also added four RBI. Magglio is now tied with Dustin Pedroia for first in the American League in batting average.
Curtis Granderson saw his recent struggles continue as he went 0-5 with a walk. Granderson’s average, once up and over .300 is all the way down to .290. He has really struggled on the road trip.
After Garcia left after the fifth inning, the Tigers brought Nate Robertson into the game. Robertson again struggled as a reliever. Robertson went 2.2 innings and gave up four hits, four walks and coughed up three runs. Aquilino Lopez had to be called in to finish things off. Tough night for Nate.
The Tigers will take the day off today before starting a three game series in Cleveland against the Indians. The Tigers are currently 3.5 games behind the Indians for third place in the AL Central. This is the Tigers chance to get to third place. If they cannot take at least two out of three in this series they will pretty much have fourth place wrapped up. Ugh.
Armando Galarraga is set to start the opener on Friday night. Game time is 7:05pm.
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